Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1887-11-19
week weeks weeks. month.
A NOBLE VICTORY.

The waves break on the shore of the
North Sea. A sharp wind from the north
sweeps over its surface, driving the waves
high before it. On their crests rises and
sinks the white foam How the water
surges forward, as if it would rush far into
the land. But again and again it retreats
from the white sand, only to return in
haste the next morning.
On the shore lies stretched out the VIII
lage Of HHsom. Every little house stands
by itself, often separated from its neighbor
by wide space of perhaps fifty feet, which
is generally made into garden, in which
few feeble plants draw scanty nourish-
ment from the ground. With no less diff
Guilty do the inhabitants of Husom man
age to get their living. They are all
fishermen, and the sea is their real home,
their nets. When the sun shines on a
smooth surface it is an exhilarating occu-
patton, but when sudden storm springs
fog settles down upon the water like a
broad, heavy mantle, then one understands
how hard are the conditions and the per-
petual danger attending the labor by
which these men earn their bread
The sea runs high and most of the boats
have pulled in to land. Two men are still
working TO save their property in the same
way. They are both young, large, vigorous
a.
ened hands,
At last their boats too rest on the shore
firmly secured. Lars" said one of the
men, Strengthening up and buttoning his
short Jacket, this will be fierce blow to-
night"
The other nodded: at is lucky that
none of US are out"
Meanwhile they have started homeward,
and stride along together in silence. The
only street of the village is quiet 1t is
dark, here and there faint light cleaning
from a little window.
They are passing n small house, and, al
most as ( by 4 secret agreement, they ap-
proach and glance through the lighted
window to the inside. An old man with
white hair and beard sits in large arm
chair; his head has fallen forward on his
breast-a picture of the life fast sinking to
rest. At the table, on the opposite side,
sits, in bright contrast, a young girl, sew
ing-a fresh, lovely face, with round, rosy
cheeks and luxuriant, fair hair Kate
Mason Is the prettiest girl in the village,
and the most industrious, on whom many a
young fellow looks with earnest glance.
Early and late she is busy, supporting her
self and her aged father by her own hands
The loiterers at the indow have turned
and gone on their way. At last Lars
said: " Good night, Christop," and crossed
the street to his home. He had heard the
reply to his greeting, and now waited and
listened, standing by the fence that inclosed
his little tract of ground. Christop had
not gone on, but had turned back-for
what? Lars felt misgiving He, too,
fastened back. The wind drives full in
his face, but he does not heed. Now he
hears Christop's steps before him, but can
not see, for it is very dark. There stands
the little house where Katie Mason lives
Christop stands by the window. Lars sees
him plainly in the light of the lamp that
falls full upon him. He hears tap on
the window, and now Christop has his
hand on the door, and it opens before
him.
Thou, Christop? What brings thee
20 late ?" asked Katie, holding on to the
door, which the storm was shaking.
" was passing and saw thee sitting, so l
stopped to bid thee sleep WE'LL"
Thou dear" she said, putting out her
hand
The wind seized the door thus set free
and flung 1t wide open against the wall.
But Christoph, using all his strength, drew
the girl into the hall and closed the door.
Lars grew hot under his coarse Jacket: hot
in spite of the clustering wind. He stepped
close to the door and heard speaking with
in, but could not distinguish anything. He
waited, his heart filled with the pangs of
Jealousy. How long he stood there he
knew not 1t seemed an eternity to him.
At last the door opened and Christoph
stepped out, Sleep well, dear girl" he
whispered. "Good-by, dear Christoph."
The key was turned in the lock. Christoph
went home, the Joy of love requited in his
heart. The other, too, turned homeward,
but a long time passed before he reached
the little house.
They had grown up together-Lars,
Christoph and Katie. The three had
played together continually as children,
and Kate would be carried by no other, or
drawn on the sled by none but Lars or
Christoph. When they grew larger they
went to school together and were confirmed
together in the little church of the neigh
boring village. No strife had ever come
between them, never had the girl shown
whether she had preferred one of the lads
to the other. As these developed into
strong men, Katie bloemed into still
greater beauty, as was apparent to other
young men of the village, and Rob Stef-
lei ventured to intimate as much, in
rough fashion, to the girl. The follow
ing day his place in the boat was empty:
he was sick, his father said-the truth
was, Rob would not show his discolored
face. From that time the Young fellows
held themselves aloof from Katie Mason.
But between Lars and Christop the old in
timacy began gradually to diminish
They went with Katie to her first dance
Who should be her first partner? They
disputed long over it out Of the girls hear
ing, and at last, with heated faces. an
pealed to her to choose between them.
Katie looked at them, and for the first
time felt misgiving that if she chose one
the other would be deeply hurt. So she
said: 1t makes no difference TO me
which l dance with first, but if il is of
so much account to you draw cuts" They
did so, and Christoph was the lucky one.
While they were settling the matter Katie
looked on with apparent indifference, but
her heart beat fast under her bodice, and
when it was decided she almost uncon-
sciously smiled with evident pleasure.
Lars saw it, and from that day jealousy
began to take root deeper and deeper in
his heart, and there was no lack of occa-
sion to develop it. Margrit Hermensen,
Katie's best friend, went to the altar TO
plight her faith. Katie was chosen to
carry the wreath, accompanied by Christ
oph. When Lars heard of it he opposed
1t vehemently.
Both young men grew violent, and only
Katie's presence of mind in declaring she
dfd not Misk to 90 To the uaddino nra-